NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan marathon runner Deborah Sang has been banned for five years after admitting to multiple anti-doping violations involving testosterone and other prohibited substances, the Athletics Integrity Unit has announced.
In a statement issued on Friday, the AIU confirmed that Sang’s suspension took effect on March 11, 2026.
The anti-doping body also disqualified all her results from April 6, 2025, including medals, titles, prize money, and appearance fees earned during the period.
According to the AIU, the case arose from two separate samples collected during international marathon events.
The first sample was taken during the Belgrade Marathon on April 6, 2025.
Although the urine sample initially returned a negative result, further laboratory analysis later detected testosterone and related metabolites linked to the external use of the substance.
Testosterone is classified by the World Anti-Doping Agency as an anabolic steroid prohibited at all times because of its performance-enhancing effects.
Months later, Sang was again flagged after another urine sample collected during the Riyadh Marathon on January 31, 2026, tested positive for prednisone and prednisolone.
The two substances are banned during competition unless an athlete has received medical authorisation through a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
Investigators established that Sang did not possess a valid TUE permitting the use of the substances.
The AIU further stated that there were no irregularities in the sample collection, testing, or laboratory procedures that could have affected the results.
Sang was formally notified of the charges on March 11 and immediately placed under provisional suspension pending investigations.
She later appeared before officials from the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya acting on behalf of the AIU, where she admitted to the violations and accepted the proposed sanctions.
“On March 25, 2026, the Athlete returned, via ADAK, a signed Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form,” the AIU said in its ruling.
Under World Athletics anti-doping regulations, the use of testosterone ordinarily attracts a four-year ban unless an athlete proves the violation was unintentional.
However, the AIU said Sang’s case involved “multiple prohibited substances,” which it treated as an aggravating factor under anti-doping rules.
As a result, the standard sanction was increased from four years to six years.
The athlete later received a one-year reduction after admitting the offences and accepting the punishment within the required timeline.
“The Athlete shall therefore receive a one-year reduction in the asserted period of Ineligibility pursuant to Rule 10.8.1 ADR based on an early admission and acceptance of sanction,” the AIU stated.
